Milestones on Mainstreet: History of Sparta Township

For years Sparta graduate Kathryn Paasch had harbored the desire to write a book.  In 2010, while researching through the files and photos of Sparta’s history, the sister duo JoAnne VanderWerff and Jayne Paasch, Kathryn Paasch’s Aunt & Mother-in-Law who are actively involved in the Sparta Township Historical Commission, discussed how to “tell” the story [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: Days of the Peach Ridge Apple Smorgasbord

1951 – The First Time Sixty three different apple dishes and recipes will be whipped up for the one day occasion by about 30 of the Peach Ridge farm women.  One of the farm wives have called the new Apple Smorgasbord event a “wonderfully fresh idea”.  The smorgasbord itself seems that it might become a [...]

Milestones on Main Street: The Big Shootout of ’71: June 2009

The Big Shootout of ’71  It’s a warm Saturday morning on main street, and Sharkey Badgerow has just been murdered… again. He jolts and spins and clutches his chest, blood oozing from his wounds. He finally drops to the pavement and gives one last kick.   Several gang members throw him on the flatbed. The [...]

Sparta Depot to Host Railroad Presentation

Kevin Ruble, President and CEO of Marquette Rail will present the May 21st program at 7:30 at the Sparta Historic Depot (located the at the North end of Union Street, Sparta, MI 49345). He will describe the current status of Marquette Rail, its future plans, and answer any questions you may have.  Marquette Rail operates the [...]

Milestones on Main Street: The Great Treasure Hunt of ’69: April 2009

The Great Treasure Hunt of ’69  It’s a hot July morning in Sparta, 1969.  Armstrong and Aldrin have just landed on the moon.  But for the moment Bob Schwab is more interested in a station wagon pulling away from his dump, leaving an old couch behind.  To anybody else it looks like junk.  But to [...]

Milestones on Main Street: February 2009

Sparta Hunting & Fishing Club Graduating in 1947 The excitement of the future after High School is high for Robert Anderson & Donald Reed, two Sparta High School Students. As they have lived in Sparta most of their lives, and been friends for a long time, both boys reflect on their years in Sparta growing [...]

History of Sparta

The History of Sparta, Michigan will be added here shortly!

Sparta Businesses are Lookin’ Good

Notice the amazing changes in Sparta commercial buildings lately? Some of the major changes are due in part to the Village of Sparta Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Property Enhancement Grant program for exterior enhancements to commercial buildings within the DDA District. The program has generated over $250,000 of investment from business owners into the exterior [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: October 2008

Sleepy Hollow During the days of the horse drawn carriage, Sparta was booming and Mr. McGowan had elevated dreams when he began building his hotel. The farming community was considered the next best thing to the big city of Grand Rapids; therefore his capital venture seemed a sure bet. Up until the advent of the [...]

Milestones on Mainstreet: August 2008

Summer 1908 Looks Great For Nelson A. Shaw, things look great in July of 1908. His new business, the Shaw Palace Livery, is doing well in its first year of operation. In the fall of 1907, he finished construction of a two-story building on main street Sparta to house his livery. The American flag, now [...]